Overnight a new hot spot in the world has made the headlines with the intervention of French troops in war torn Mali. Today, Jan. 15, 2013, Sky News has reported, French President: Mali Operation Going Well. France's President Hollande has said, "We have obtained results. We have a goal, it's very simple; to obtain the withdrawal of terrorists and to push them abroad."
French forces have carried out air strikes overnight in Mali which are reported to have hit their targets. At this time there are 750 French troops in Mali and there are plans to increase that number to about 2,500. The United States has been providing intelligence-gathering assistance to the French, and now the United Nations has backed the military action.
Dave Boyer and Shaun Waterman have reported on the hostilities in Mali for The Washington Times, U.S. aiding French in Mali. On Tuesday the White House confirmed reports that it is sharing intelligence with France and has been considering a request to provide military aid in the French fight against the Islamist extremists in Mali. However, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has ruled out the possibility of U.S. combat forces being involved, saying, “There is no consideration of U.S. boots on the ground.”
